Wat Chaiwatthanaram is the most striking of Ayutthaya's riverside ruins, built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong on the west bank of the Chao Phraya, just outside the island. Its design is deliberately Khmer in inspiration, echoing the temple-mountains of Angkor: a tall central prang symbolising Mount Meru, the mythical centre of the universe, surrounded by four smaller prangs and a ring of chedi-topped chapels that once sheltered rows of Buddha images. The riverside setting and the symmetry of the towers make it perhaps the most photogenic temple in Ayutthaya, and it is especially beautiful at sunset, when the brick glows warm and the prangs reflect in the water. It is also a popular place to see visitors in rented traditional Thai dress posing among the ruins. Because it stands across the river from the main island cluster, it is usually reached by a short drive or as a stop on a river boat tour, and it rewards a slower, unhurried visit.
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